Iranian court to make decision on detained Indian oil crude tanker

A local court in Hormozgan Province of Iran will make a decision on detained Indian crude oil tanker, ILNA news agency reported.

Director General for Marine Safety and Environment Protection department of Ports and Maritime Organization, Mohammad Reza Ghaderi said investigation has revealed about 8 technical defects on the ship, adding that, oil and water separation device of the ship did not work correctly.

"The ship will be released under assurance of P&I club insurance company, but charge committing and compensation will be reviewed by Hormozgan Province court," he added, without revealing any exact details of the trial.

Indian crude oil tanker named Desh Shanti, which was on its way to India from Iraq, was detained by Iran a few days ago.

The ship, which is owned by the Shipping Corporation of India, was reported by the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC).

Head of Sea Pollution department of Iranian Environment protection organization, Nima Pourang said that the tanker discharged its oily ballast water 30 miles away from Lavan island in Persian Gulf, which caused a 10-mile length oil stain on the sea."

Sources said Iran claimed to have detained the ship because of environmental concerns. Tehran authorities conveyed to India that the ship was polluting Iranian waters.

India has cut crude imports from Iran, a fallout of sanctions imposed by the US and the EU. The cut, in fact, helped India - along with China and South Korea - win a waiver from the US allowing it to continue to import crude from Iran.

In 2012, India is estimated to have imported crude from Iraq worth more than $15 billion. IOC is the largest importer of crude oil from Iraq.